Method and apparatus for producing a yarn

ABSTRACT

A method of producing at least one yarn formed by spinning at least two individual fibers, comprising the following steps: providing at least two individual fibers, to be spun to form the at least one yarn to be produced, feeding the at least two provided fibers to a spinning device comprising at least one spindle element or bobbin element via a guide device comprising a plurality of, in particular cylinder-like or cylindrical, guide elements, spinning the fed fibers in the spinning device, forming the at least one yarn to be produced, wherein the at least two fibers are fed to the spinning device via at least two separate, in particular cylinder-like or cylindrical, guide elements that are arranged such that they are spatially separated from one another in at least one spatial direction.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to Patent Cooperation Treaty application serial number PCT/EP2018/075968, filed Sep. 25, 2018, which claims priority to German patent application serial number DE 10 2017 124 659.2, filed Oct. 23, 2017, the contents of each of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for producing a yarn.

Methods and apparatuses for producing yarns are known in principle from the prior art in a wide variety of different embodiments.

A known method of producing a yarn formed by spinning at least two individual fibers, implemented e.g. as a ring spinning method, comprises the following steps: providing at least two individual fibers to be spun to form the yarn to be produced, feeding the at least two provided fibers to a spinning device comprising at least one spindle element via a guide device comprising a plurality of, in particular cylinder-like or cylindrical, guide elements, and spinning the fed fibers in the spinning device, forming the yarn to be produced.

Corresponding methods of producing a yarn are well understood with respect to the influencing of the properties of the yarns that can be produced thereby, but nevertheless there is a constant need to develop methods that allow the production of yarns with improved properties. In particular, there is a need to develop methods by means of which yarns can be produced having improved properties with respect to the formation of so-called neps (knops, burls), i.e. yarns with a lower tendency to form neps, or yarns with low hairiness.

The present invention is based on the object of providing an improved method of producing a yarn, in particular with respect to producing a yarn with improved properties.

The object is achieved by a method according to claim 1. The claims that are dependent thereon relate to possible embodiments of the method.

The method described herein generally serves to produce at least one yarn. Naturally, a plurality of yarns can also be produced by the method in a corresponding manner.

The method comprises three essential steps, which are explained in more detail below. In a first step of the method, at least two individual fibers are provided, which are to be spun together to form the yarn to be produced. The fibers can be e.g. staple fibers. The fibers can also be referred to or considered as a roving or pre-yarn. When a “fiber” is mentioned herein, this can therefore also be understood to mean a roving or pre-yarn. The fibers can in each case be provided via a fiber supply unit, such as e.g. a fiber bobbin, from which a fiber to be spun into a yarn within the framework of the method is unwound. The number of fiber supply units is typically determined according to the number of fibers to be spun into a yarn according to the method.

In a second step of the method, the at least two provided fibers are fed to a spinning device comprising at least one spindle element or bobbin element via a guide device comprising a plurality of guide elements. In the second step of the method, the fibers to be spun into the yarn are thus fed to a spinning device via a guide device. The guide device typically comprises a plurality of guide elements. The guide elements are typically arranged consecutively in the fiber guiding direction, such that a fiber to be guided can be guided from a first guide element to a further guide element arranged downstream thereof in the fiber guiding direction. A first guide element of the guide device in the fiber guiding direction is arranged immediately downstream of the respective fiber supply units in the fiber guiding direction; a last guide element in the fiber guiding direction is arranged immediately upstream of the spinning device in the fiber guiding direction. Between guide elements that are arranged one (immediately) after the other in the fiber guiding direction, although separated in the fiber guiding direction, suitable e.g. plate-like or plate-shaped support elements can be provided, which perform a desired supporting action for the fibers to be guided.

Appropriate support elements can also be arranged e.g. between the first guide element and the fiber supply units.

Respective guide elements typically have a cylinder-like or cylindrical geometric form or basic shape; the guide elements can therefore be referred to or considered as guide rollers or rolls or cylinders. Respective cylinder-like or cylindrical guide elements are typically mounted rotatably around their axis of symmetry or central axis, such that a guided movement of the fibers to be guided in the direction of the spinning device can be enabled by rotating movements of the guide elements around their respective axis of symmetry or central axis.

Individual, a plurality of or all the guide elements can be provided with a particular adhesive area or surface, achieved e.g. by rubber coating, which allows a desired guiding of the fibers owing to an adhesive effect exerted on the fibers, i.e. in particular impedes or prevents an undesirable lateral slipping of the fibers in terms of the fiber guiding direction.

In a third step of the method, a spinning of the fibers fed to the spinning device takes place in the spinning device, forming the yarn to be produced. The spinning of the fibers to form the yarn to be produced typically takes place in a spinning region following the last guide element. The spinning device comprises at least one spindle element or bobbin element, on to which the fibers that have been spun together or the yarn formed by spinning the fibers is/are wound. A spindle element or bobbin element can be a bobbin or cop. The number of spindle elements or bobbin elements or the number of spinning regions resulting therefrom is determined in accordance with the number of yarns to be produced.

According to the method, in contrast to conventional methods the at least two fibers to be spun into a yarn are fed to the spinning device not via one (common) guide element but via at least two separate, in particular cylinder-like or cylindrical, guide elements that are arranged such that they are spatially separated from each other in at least one spatial direction. In other words, a first fiber to be spun to form the yarn to be produced is fed to the spinning device via a first guide element and a second fiber to be spun with the first fiber to form the yarn to be produced is fed to the spinning device via a second guide element which is arranged such that it is separated from the first guide element in at least one spatial direction.

Within the framework of the method, therefore, a guide device is used which comprises at least two separate, in particular cylinder-like or cylindrical, guide elements arranged such that they are spatially separated from each other in at least one spatial direction immediately upstream of the spinning device. The guide device used within the framework of the method thus comprises at least two last guide elements; as will be seen below, these guide elements are typically arranged at the same level in relation to the spinning device, i.e. at the same distance from the spinning device, but laterally offset from each other. It can be seen from the above statements that the at least two fibers are fed to the spinning device via the at least two separate guide elements, arranged such that they are separated from each other in at least one spatial direction, immediately before being brought together at the fiber merging point. By means of feeding the fibers to be spun into a yarn via at least two separate guide elements arranged such that they are spatially separated from each other in at least one spatial direction, it is possible to influence, i.e. in particular to increase, the free length of the fibers to be spun into a yarn between leaving the guide device and a fiber merging point at which the fibers are brought together, which has a positive impact on the properties of the yarn that is to be or has been produced. The increase in the free length of the fibers is due to the fact that the fiber merging point, at which the fibers are brought together, is comparatively significantly further away from the last guide elements and thus significantly closer to the spinning device when the fibers are fed via separate guide elements.

A corresponding fiber merging point typically represents part of a so-called spinning triangle. The fiber merging point in this case typically forms an apex of the spinning triangle facing the spinning device. The shape of the spinning triangle can therefore also be modified according to the method compared to conventional methods, since the spinning triangle is “stretched” in the fiber guiding direction owing to the aforementioned increase in the free length of the fibers forming the sides of the spinning triangle.

The method is based on the finding that, by means of influencing, i.e. in particular increasing, the free length of the fibers to be spun into a yarn between leaving the guide device, i.e. the respective last guide element (from the point of view of the fiber), and the fiber merging point at which the fibers are brought together, certain, in particular mechanical, properties of the yarn that is to be or has been produced can be obtained. This results in particular from the fact that the free length of the fibers to be spun into the yarn is increased (significantly) before the fiber merging point compared to conventional methods. The (individual) fibers can already be twisted (considerably) before the fiber merging point, which has a positive effect on the properties of the yarn that is to be or has been produced. With the aid of studies, it has been shown that in particular the formation of so-called neps (knops, burls) can be reduced in this way; the yarns produced according to the method accordingly display a (significantly) lower tendency to form neps and (significantly) lower hairiness. Accordingly, yarns with improved properties can be produced by the method.

The free length of a respective fiber between the guide device and the merging point can be in a range of e.g. between 4 and 20 cm, in particular in a range of between 7.5 and 15 cm and preferably 10 cm. In particular, from fiber lengths of at least 4 cm, in particular at least 6 cm, particularly advantageous fiber properties can be obtained. In principle, however, upper and lower exceptions to these figures are possible.

According to the method, in particular a spinning device is used of which the spindle element or bobbin element is arranged in alignment with a space formed between the guide elements by the spatially separated arrangement of the guide elements assigned thereto in the fiber guiding direction. The spindle element or bobbin element is accordingly arranged with a lateral offset relative to the guide elements assigned thereto in relation to the fiber guiding direction; in particular the spindle element or bobbin element, although separated from the guide elements in the fiber guiding direction, is arranged centrally between the guide elements assigned thereto. The same applies to the spinning of a plurality of yarns each composed of at least two fibers. In this case the respective spindle elements or bobbin elements are each arranged in alignment with a space formed between the guide elements respectively assigned thereto by the spatially separated arrangement of the guide elements respectively assigned thereto in the fiber guiding direction.

As has been mentioned, the guide elements are typically arranged at the same level in relation to the spinning device, but laterally offset from each other. Within the framework of the method, therefore, in particular at least two guide elements arranged such that they are spatially separated from each other in a spatial direction or plane running transversely, optionally also at an angle, to the fiber guiding direction are used. Where guide elements each having a cylinder-like or cylindrical basic shape are used, these are typically arranged coaxially and such that they are spatially separated from each other in the direction of their respective central axes. Two guide elements arranged such that they are spatially separated from each other in a spatial direction or plane running transversely or at an angle to the fiber guiding direction can be referred to or considered as a guide element pair assigned to a specific spindle element or bobbin element, via which the fibers forming the yarn to be wound on the respective spindle element or bobbin element are fed.

The free length between respective points at which the respective fibers leave the respective guide element in the direction of the or a merging point can be in a range of e.g. between 4 and 10 cm, in particular between 5 and 9 cm and preferably at least approx. 6 cm. In principle, however, upper and lower exceptions to these figures are possible.

Besides the described use of an arrangement of guide elements such that they are spatially separated from each other in a spatial direction or plane running transversely or at an angle to the fiber guiding direction, it is alternatively or in addition also possible, at least in principle, that at least two guide elements arranged such that they are spatially separated from each other in a spatial direction running parallel to the fiber guiding direction or plane are used. At least in principle, therefore, guide elements arranged such that they are offset in the fiber guiding direction can also be used.

As has been mentioned, the fibers are brought together at a fiber merging point. The fiber merging point, as likewise mentioned, typically forms an apex of a spinning triangle facing the spinning device. The angle of the spinning triangle in the region of the apex facing the spinning device is typically in a range of between 0 and 90° or 1 and 90°; in particular the angle is less than 90°, in particular less than 45° and in particular less than 30°. The angle between the at least two fibers after leaving the respective guide elements is thus typically in a range of between 0 and 90° or 1 and 90°; in particular the angle is less than 90°, in particular less than 45° and in particular less than 30°. Accordingly, the angle is typically an acute angle.

Within the framework of the method it is also possible that at least three fibers are spun together to form the yarn. The at least three fibers are typically brought together at the fiber merging point. Yarns can therefore be produced from more than two fibers (multi-fiber yarns).

The spinning of at least three fibers to form a yarn according to the method can be carried out such that at least two fibers are fed to the spinning device jointly via a first guide element and at least one further fiber is fed via a further guide element arranged such that it is spatially separated from the first guide element in at least one spatial direction or plane. At least two fibers can thus be fed via a first guide element and at least one further fiber via a further guide element. In this context, even or uneven divisions of fibers over a given number of guide elements are possible, such that in the case of an exemplary feeding of four fibers and an exemplary number of two guide elements, two fibers are fed via a first guide element and two fibers via a second guide element or three fibers are fed via a first guide element and one fiber is fed via a second guide element.

Alternatively, the spinning of at least three fibers to form a yarn according to the method can be achieved such that the at least three fibers are fed to the spinning device via three separate guide elements arranged such that they are separated from each other in at least one spatial direction or plane, wherein at least one first fiber is fed via a first guide element, at least one second fiber is fed via a second guide element arranged such that it is spatially separated from the first guide element in at least one spatial direction or plane, and at least one third fiber is fed via a third guide element arranged such that it is spatially separated from the second guide element in at least one spatial direction or plane. Thus, each fiber can also be fed via a separate guide element.

Within the framework of the method it is also possible that at least two fibers and at least one filament—which can be a single or multi-filament—are spun together to form the yarn. The at least two fibers and the at least one filament are typically brought together at the fiber merging point. Yarns can therefore be produced from at least two fibers and at least one filament. An appropriate filament can be a continuous filament. An appropriate filament can be made of or can comprise an elastic filament material; a filament can be e.g. a filament of elastane (sometimes referred to commercially as Lycra), polyamide, polyester or polypropylene.

The spinning of at least two fibers and at least one filament according to the method can be carried out such that at least two fibers are fed to the spinning device via two separate guide elements arranged such that they are separated from each other in at least one spatial direction or plane, and the at least one filament is fed from a (separate), in particular spool-like or spool-shaped, filament storage unit, such as e.g. a filament bobbin, or via a third guide element which is separate from the two separate guide elements.

Naturally it is possible that the at least two fibers are fed to the spinning device with a pre-tension produced by a drafting, in particular a longitudinal drafting, of the fibers. The same applies to fed filaments. In particular, it is possible in this case to implement different drafting regions or zones, i.e. for example a pre-drafting zone and a main drafting zone, in which the fibers and/or filaments are subjected to different degrees of drafting.

Within the framework of the method, fibers with identical and non-identical chemical and/or geometric and/or physical, in particular mechanical, properties can be spun together to form the yarn. The fibers spun according to the method, where they are not identical, can therefore differ in at least one chemical property, i.e. in particular in at least one property relating to the chemical properties of the fiber, such as e.g. the chemical composition, and/or in at least one geometric property, i.e. in particular in at least one property relating to the geometry of the fiber, such as e.g. the fiber diameter, and/or in at least one physical, in particular mechanical, property, i.e. in particular in at least one property relating to the physical, in particular mechanical, properties of the fiber, such as e.g. fiber strength.

At this point, the general comment should be made that in principle, within the framework of the method, all the natural fibers, i.e. for example alpaca fibers, cotton fibers, cashmere fibers, mohair fibers, silk fibers, linen fibers, wool fibers, in particular new wool fibers, and/or artificial (synthetic) fibers, i.e. for example plastic fibers, in particular polyamide fibers, polyester fibers, polypropylene fibers, viscose fibers, can be spun together to form the yarn to be produced. In particular, blends of natural and artificial fibers are also possible. The fibers can be continuous or staple fibers, depending on availability.

An (individual) fiber can also be made of or comprise at least two chemically and/or geometrically and/or physically different fiber materials. An appropriate fiber, accordingly also to be referred to as a blended fiber (blended roving), can accordingly be made e.g. of a first fiber material (roving material) and at least one further fiber material (roving material). A first fiber material can be e.g. a natural fiber material, such as e.g. wool, and a further fiber material can be e.g. an artificial (synthetic) fiber material, such as e.g. polyamide, polyester or polypropylene. The fibers can, as mentioned, be continuous or staple fibers, depending on availability.

Besides the method, the invention also relates to a yarn that is or has been produced by the described method, and to a textile product that is formed using a yarn produced by the described method or comprises at least one such yarn. The textile product can be a semi-finished product (precursor) or a finished product (end product).

The invention furthermore relates to an apparatus for producing a yarn formed by spinning at least two individual fibers, in particular by a method as described. All the statements made in connection with the method therefore apply mutatis mutandis to the apparatus.

The apparatus comprises as essential components a guide device comprising a plurality of, in particular cylinder-like or cylindrical, guide elements, which is configured to guide a number of fibers to a spinning device arranged downstream thereof in the fiber guiding direction, and a spinning device arranged downstream of the guide device in the fiber guiding direction comprising at least one spindle element or bobbin element mounted rotatably around a spindle or bobbin axis, which is configured to spin together at least two of these fibers fed via the guide device, forming a yarn.

The apparatus is distinguished by the fact that the guide device comprises at least two separate, in particular cylinder-like or cylindrical, guide elements arranged such that they are spatially separated from each other in at least one spatial direction or plane, via which the at least two fibers can be fed or are fed to the spinning device. The guide device thus comprises at least two separate, in particular cylinder-like or cylindrical, guide elements arranged such that they are spatially separated from each other in at least one spatial direction or plane. The guide device therefore comprises at least two last guide elements, which are typically arranged at the same level in relation to the spinning device but laterally offset from each other.

The apparatus can be formed as or can comprise e.g. a ring spinning machine or apparatus.

The spindle element or bobbin element of the spinning device is in particular arranged in alignment with a space formed between the guide elements by the spatially separated arrangement of the guide elements assigned thereto in the fiber guiding direction. A respective spindle element or bobbin element of the spinning device is accordingly arranged with a lateral offset relative to the guide elements assigned thereto in relation to the fiber guiding direction; in particular, the spindle element or bobbin element, although separated from the guide elements in the fiber guiding direction, is arranged centrally between the guide elements assigned thereto. The same applies to spinning a plurality of yarns from at least two fibers each. In this case the respective spindle elements or bobbin elements are each arranged in alignment with a space formed between the guide elements respectively assigned thereto by the spatially separated arrangement of the guide elements respectively assigned thereto in the fiber guiding direction.

In this way, it is possible to increase the free length of the fibers to be spun into a yarn between leaving the guide device and a fiber merging point at which the fibers are brought together, as already mentioned in association with the method, which has a positive impact on the properties of the yarn that is to be or has been produced. Accordingly, yarns with improved properties can be produced using the apparatus.

As mentioned, the guide elements are in particular arranged at the same level in relation to the spinning device, but laterally offset from each other. The apparatus therefore comprises in particular at least two guide elements arranged such that they are spatially separated from each other in a spatial direction or plane running transversely, optionally also at an angle, to the fiber guiding direction. Where the apparatus comprises guide elements having a cylinder-like or cylindrical basic shape in each case, these are typically arranged coaxially and such that they are spatially separated from each other in the direction of their respective central axes. Two guide elements arranged such that they are spatially separated from each other in a spatial direction or plane running transversely or at an angle to the fiber guiding direction can be referred to or considered as a guide element pair assigned to a specific spindle element or bobbin element, via which the fibers forming the yarn to be wound on the respective spindle element or bobbin element can be fed.

Alternatively or in addition, at least in principle, it is also possible that the apparatus comprises at least two guide elements arranged such that they are spatially separated from each other in a spatial direction running parallel to the fiber guiding direction or plane. At least in principle, therefore, the apparatus [can] also comprise guide elements arranged such that they are offset in the fiber guiding direction.

The apparatus can comprise a drafting device, which is configured for the drafting, in particular longitudinal drafting, of the fibers fed to the spinning device. The drafting device can be functionally and/or structurally integrated in the guide device. By way of the drafting device, different drafting regions or zones, i.e. for example a pre-drafting zone and a main drafting zone, can be implemented, in which the fibers are drafted to different degrees.

The invention is explained in more detail with the aid of exemplary embodiments in the drawings. The figures show the following:

FIGS. 1, 2: schematic diagrams of an apparatus for producing a yarn according to an exemplary embodiment,

FIG. 3: an enlarged view of the detail III shown in FIG. 1, and

FIG. 4: an enlarged view of the detail IV shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of an apparatus 1 for producing a yarn 3 formed by spinning at least two individual fibers 2 a, 2 b according to an exemplary embodiment. FIG. 1 represents a schematic top view of the apparatus 1. FIG. 3 shows an enlarged view of the detail III shown in FIG. 1.

The apparatus 1 formed as or comprising e.g. a ring spinning machine comprises the following components: at least two fiber supply units 4 a, 4 b, a guide device 5 arranged downstream thereof in the fiber guiding direction indicated by the arrow P and a spinning device 6 arranged downstream of the guide device 5 in the fiber guiding direction. The functional interaction of the aforesaid components of the apparatus 1 will be explained in more detail below:

By way of the fiber supply units 4 a, 4 b, which can be e.g. fiber bobbins, from which the fibers 2 a, 2 b to be spun into a yarn 3 within the framework of the method are unwound, the individual fibers 2 a, 2 b to be spun together to form the yarn 3 to be produced are provided. The fibers 2 a, 2 b can also be referred to or considered as a roving or pre-yarn. In the exemplary embodiment, purely by way of example, only two fiber supply units 4 a, 4 b are shown; however, the principle described below can be extended at will to more than two fiber supply units 4 a, 4 b and thus more than two fibers 2 a, 2 b. The number of the fiber supply units 4 a, 4 b is determined according to the number of the fibers 2 a, 2 b to be spun into a yarn 3 according to the method.

The guide device 5 is configured to guide the provided fibers 2 a, 2 b to the spinning device 6 which is arranged downstream thereof in the fiber guiding direction. For this purpose the guide device 5 comprises a plurality of—five by way of example in each of the exemplary embodiments shown in the figures—guide elements 5 a-5 e arranged consecutively in the fiber guiding direction, such that the fibers 2 a, 2 b to be guided can be guided from a first guide element 5 a to the further guide elements 5 b-5 e arranged downstream thereof in the fiber guiding direction. The first guide element 5 a in the fiber guiding direction is arranged immediately downstream of the respective fiber supply units 4 a, 4 b in the fiber guiding direction, and the last guide elements 5 d, 5 e in the fiber guiding direction are arranged immediately upstream of the spinning device 6 in the fiber guiding direction. Between guide elements 5 a-5 e arranged one (immediately) after the other in the fiber guiding direction, although separated in the fiber guiding direction, suitable, e.g. plate-like or plate-shaped, support elements 7 can be provided, which perform a desired supporting action for the fibers 2 a, 2 b to be guided. In the exemplary embodiments shown in the figures, an appropriate support element 7 is arranged by way of example between the first guide element 5 a and the fiber supply units 4 a, 4 b.

The guide elements 5 a-5 e each have a cylinder-like or cylindrical geometric form or basic shape; the guide elements 5 a-5 e can thus be referred to or considered as guide rollers or rolls or cylinders. The guide elements 5 a-5 e are each mounted rotatably around their axis of symmetry or central axis, such that a guided movement of the fibers 2 a, 2 b to be guided towards the spinning device 6 can be enabled by rotating movements of the guide elements 5 a-5 e around their respective axis of symmetry or central axis.

Individual, a plurality of or all the guide elements 5 a-5 e can be provided with a particular adhesive area or surface (not shown), achieved e.g. by a rubber coating, which allows a desired guiding of the fibers 2 a, 2 b owing to an adhesive effect exerted on the fibers 2 a, 2 b, i.e. in particular impeding or preventing an undesirable lateral slipping of the fibers 2 a, 2 b in terms of the fiber guiding direction.

In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 1, 3, furthermore—the same applies to the exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 2, 4—(optional) drafting elements (condensers) 8 a, 8 b, 9 a, 9 b of an unspecified drafting device are illustrated. The fibers 2 a, 2 b can therefore be fed to the spinning device 6 with a pre-tension generated by a drafting, in particular longitudinal drafting, of the fibers 2 a, 2 b. In this case, it is possible to implement different drafting regions or zones by means of different drafting elements 8 a, 8 b, 9 a, 9 b, i.e. for example a pre-drafting zone and a main drafting zone, in which the fibers 2 a, 2 b are drafted to different degrees. The drafting elements 8 a, 8 b, 9 a, 9 b can be drafting elements that have been structurally modified especially for the method described herein, which allow a guiding or drafting of the fibers 2 a, 2 b as required for the method described herein.

The spinning device 6 is configured to spin together the fibers 2 a, 2 b fed thereto via the guide device 5, forming a yarn 3. For this purpose, the spinning device 6 comprises a spindle element or bobbin element 10 mounted rotatably around a spindle or bobbin axis (not shown), on which the yarn 3 can be wound. A thread guide or monitor 16 is provided upstream of the spindle element or bobbin element 10 in the exemplary embodiments shown in the figures.

As can be seen with the aid of the figures, the apparatus 1 is distinguished by the fact that the guide device 5 comprises at least two separate guide elements 5 d, 5 e arranged such that they are spatially separated from each other in at least one spatial direction, via which the fibers 2 a, 2 b can be fed or are fed to the spinning device 6. It can be seen that the guide elements 5 d, 5 e are the last guide elements 5 d, 5 e before the spinning device 6 in the fiber guiding direction. The guide elements 5 d, 5 e are arranged at the same level in relation to the spinning device 6, but laterally offset from each other (see in particular FIG. 3).

Using the apparatus 1 shown in the figures, a method of producing a yarn 3 having improved yarn properties formed by spinning two fibers 2 a, 2 b can be implemented. An exemplary embodiment of such a method is described in more detail below.

In a first step of the method, the individual fibers 2 a, 2 b to be spun together to form the yarn 3 to be produced are provided via the fiber supply units 4 a, 4 b.

In a second step of the method the provided fibers 2 a, 2 b are fed to the spinning device 6 via the guide device 5.

In a third step of the method the fibers 2 a, 2 b fed to the spinning device 6 are spun in the spinning device 6, forming the yarn 3 to be produced. The spinning of the fibers 2 a, 2 b takes place in a spinning region 11 following the last guide elements 5 d, 5 e. The produced yarn 3 is wound on to the spindle element or bobbin element 10.

With the aid of the figures, it can be seen that according to the method the fibers 2 a, 2 b to be spun into a yarn 3 are fed to the spinning device 6 via two separate guide elements 5 d, 5 e arranged such that they are spatially separated from each other in a spatial direction. The figures show that a first fiber 2 a to be spun to form the yarn 3 is fed to the spinning device 6 via a first guide element 5 d and a second fiber 2 b to be spun with the first fiber 2 b to form the yarn 3 is fed to the spinning device 6 via a second guide element 5 e arranged such that it is separated from the first guide element 5 d.

Within the framework of the method, accordingly, a guide device 5 is used which comprises at least two separate guide elements 5 d, 5 e arranged such that they are spatially separated from each other in a spatial direction immediately before the spinning device 6. The guide elements 5 d, 5 e are, as mentioned, arranged at the same level in relation to the spinning device 6, i.e. at the same distance from the spinning device 6, but laterally offset from each other. Since, as mentioned, the guide elements 5 d, 5 e have a cylinder-like or cylindrical geometric form or basic shape, in the exemplary embodiments shown in the figures they are arranged coaxially and such that they are spatially separated from each other in the direction of their respective central axes and thus separated from each other in a spatial direction running transverse to the fiber guiding direction in a parallel arrangement. Two guide elements 5 d, 5 e arranged such that they are spatially separated from each other in a spatial direction running transverse to the fiber guiding direction can be referred to or considered as a guide element pair assigned to a particular spindle element or bobbin element 10, via which the fibers 2 a, 2 b forming the yarn 3 to be wound on the respective spindle element or bobbin element 10 are fed.

By way of feeding the fibers 2 a, 2 b to be spun into a yarn 3 via separate guide elements 5 d, 5 e arranged such that they are spatially separated from each other in a spatial direction it is possible to influence, i.e. in particular to increase, the free length L of the fibers 2 a, 2 b to be spun between leaving the guide device 5 and a fiber merging point 12 at which the fibers 2 a, 2 b are brought together, which has a positive impact on the properties of the yarn 3 that is to be or has been produced. The increasing of the free length L of the fibers 2 a, 2 b results from the fact that the fiber merging point 12 is significantly further away from the last guide elements 5 d, 5 e compared to conventional methods, and thus significantly closer to the spinning device 6.

The fiber merging point 12 represents part of a so-called spinning triangle. The fiber merging point 12 forms an apex of the spinning triangle facing the spinning device 6. The shape of the spinning triangle can therefore also be modified according to the method, compared to conventional methods, since the spinning triangle is “stretched” in the fiber guiding direction owing to the aforementioned increasing of the free length L of the fibers 2 a, 2 b, forming the sides of the spinning triangle.

The angle α of the spinning triangle in the region of the apex facing the spinning device 6 is less than 90°, in particular less than 45° and in particular less than 30°. Accordingly, the angle a between the fibers 2 a, 2 b after leaving the guide elements 5 d, 5 e is less than 90°, in particular less than 45° and in particular less than 30°. The angle α is accordingly an acute angle.

The method is based on the finding that, by influencing, i.e. in particular increasing, the free length L of the fibers 2 a, 2 b to be spun between leaving the guide device 5, i.e. the last guide elements 5 d, 5 e, and the fiber merging point 12, specific, in particular mechanical, properties of the yarn 3 that is to be or has been produced can be obtained. This results in particular from the fact that the free length L of the fibers 2 a, 2 b to be spun is increased (significantly) before the fiber merging point 12 compared to conventional methods. The (individual) fibers 2 a, 2 b can already be twisted (considerably) before the fiber merging point 12, which has a positive impact on the properties of the yarn 3 that is to be or has been produced.

The free length L of a respective fiber 2 a, 2 b between the guide device 5 and the merging point 12 at which the fibers 2 a, 2 b are brought together can be e.g. in a range of between 4 and 20 cm, in particular in a range of between 7.5 and 15 cm and preferably 10 cm.

The free length L′ between respective points 14, 15 at which the fibers 2 a, 2 b leave the respective guide element 5 d, 5 e in the direction of the merging point 12 can be e.g. in a range of between 4 and 10 cm, in particular between 5 and 9 cm and preferably at least approx. 6 cm.

With the aid of the figures, it can be seen that a spinning device 6 is used according to the method, of which the spindle element or bobbin element 10 is arranged in alignment with a space 13 formed between the guide elements 5 d, 5 e by the spatially separated arrangement of the guide elements 5 d, 5 e assigned thereto in the fiber guiding direction. The spindle element or bobbin element 10 is accordingly laterally offset (in relation to the fiber guiding direction) relative to the guide elements 5 d, 5 e assigned thereto; in particular, the spindle element or bobbin element 10, although separated from the guide elements 5 d, 5 e in the fiber guiding direction, is arranged centrally between the guide elements 5 d, 5 e assigned thereto.

In FIG. 3, finally, it is indicated by dashed fibers that, in principle, further fibers (dashed) can also be guided via a respective last guide element 5 d, 5 e, but these are fed to another spindle element or bobbin element (not shown), i.e. typically a further spindle element or bobbin element arranged parallel to the spindle element or bobbin element 10, i.e. to another spinning region, of the spinning device 6. It also applies to this other spinning region that the fibers to be spun there into a yarn 3 are fed via separate guide elements in the same way as in the figures.

FIG. 2 shows a schematic diagram of an apparatus 1 for producing a yarn 3 formed by spinning at least two individual fibers 2 a, 2 b according to a further exemplary embodiment. FIG. 2 represents a schematic top view of the apparatus 1. FIG. 4 shows an enlarged illustration of the detail IV shown in FIG. 2.

With the aid of FIGS. 2, 4 it can first be seen that it is also possible within the framework of the method that at least three fibers 2 a-2 c are spun together to form the yarn 3. The at least three fibers 2 a-2 c are brought together at the fiber merging point 12. Yarns 3 can therefore be produced from more than two fibers 2 a-2 c (multi-fiber yarns).

The spinning of at least three fibers 2 a-2 c to form a yarn 3 can, as shown in FIGS. 2, 4, be implemented such that at least two fibers 2 a, 2 c are fed to the spinning device 6 jointly via a first guide element 5 d and at least one further fiber 2 b is fed via a further guide element 5 e arranged such that it is spatially separated from the first guide element 5 d in a spatial direction. At least two fibers 2 a, 2 c can thus be fed via a first guide element 5 d and at least one further fiber 2 b via a further guide element 5 e. In this context, even or uneven divisions of fibers 2 a-2 c over a given number of guide elements are possible. In the case of an exemplary feeding of four fibers as additionally shown in FIG. 4 (the fourth fiber is indicated by a dashed line) and an exemplary number of two guide elements 5 d, 5 e, two fibers can be fed via a first guide element 5 d and two fibers via a second guide element 5 e or three fibers via a first guide element 5 d and one fiber via a second guide element 5 e.

Although not shown in the figures, the spinning of at least three fibers 2 a-2 c according to the method could alternatively also be implemented such that the at least three fibers 2 a-2 c are fed to the spinning device 6 via three separate guide elements, arranged such that they are separated from each other in at least one spatial direction, by feeding at least one first fiber 2 a via a first guide element, at least one second fiber 2 b via a second guide element arranged such that it is spatially separated from the first guide element in at least one spatial direction and at least one third fiber 2 c via a third guide element arranged such that it is spatially separated from the second guide element in at least one spatial direction. Each fiber 2 a-2 c can thus also be fed via a separate guide element.

In FIG. 4, finally, it is indicated that it is also possible within the framework of the method that at least two fibers 2 a-2 c and at least one filament 17 are spun together to form the yarn 3. The at least two fibers 2 a-2 c and the at least one filament 17 are brought together at the fiber merging point 12. Yarns 3 can therefore be produced from at least two fibers 2 a-2 c and at least one filament 17.

The spinning of at least two fibers 2 a-2 c and at least one filament 17 according to the method can be implemented such that at least two fibers 2 a-2 c are fed to the spinning device 6 via two separate guide elements 5 d, 5 e, arranged such that they are separated from each other in a spatial direction and the at least one filament 17 is fed from a filament storage unit 18, in particular a spool-like or spool-shaped filament storage unit 18, such as e.g. a filament bobbin, or via a third guide element separate from the two separate guide elements 5 d, 5 e.

Although not shown in the figures, besides the described arrangement of guide elements 5 d, 5 e such that they are spatially separated from each other in a spatial direction running transverse to the fiber guiding direction, it is alternatively or in addition also possible, at least in principle, that at least two guide elements 5 d, 5 e arranged such that they are spatially separated from each other in a spatial direction running parallel to the fiber guiding direction are used. At least in principle, therefore, guide elements 5 d, 5 e arranged such that they are offset in the fiber guiding direction can also be used.

Within the framework of the method, fibers 2 a, 2 b with identical and non-identical chemical and/or geometric and/or physical, in particular mechanical, properties can be spun together to form the yarn 3.

Within the framework of the method, all the natural fibers, i.e. for example alpaca fibers, cotton fibers, cashmere fibers, mohair fibers, silk fibers, linen fibers, wool fibers, in particular new wool fibers, and/or artificial (synthetic) fibers, i.e. for example plastic fibers, in particular polyamide fibers, polyester fibers, polypropylene fibers or viscose fibers, can be spun together to form the yarn to be produced. In particular, blends of (individual or a plurality of) natural and (individual or a plurality of) artificial fibers are also possible. The fibers can be continuous or staple fibers, depending on availability.

An (individual) fiber 2 a, 2 b can also be made of or comprise at least two chemically and/or geometrically and/or physically different fiber materials. A corresponding fiber 2 a, 2 b, accordingly also to be referred to as a blended fiber (blended roving), can accordingly be made of e.g. a first fiber material (roving material) and at least one further fiber material (roving material). 

1. A method of producing at least one yarn (3) formed by spinning at least two individual fibers (2 a-2 c), comprising the following steps: providing at least two individual fibers (2 a-2 c) to be spun to form the at least one yarn (3) to be produced, feeding the at least two provided fibers (2 a-2 c) to a spinning device (6) comprising at least one spindle element or bobbin element (10) via a guide device (5) comprising a plurality of, in particular cylinder-like or cylindrical, guide elements (5 a-5 e), spinning the fed fibers (2 a, 2 b) in the spinning device (6), forming the at least one yarn (3) to be produced, characterized in that the at least two fibers (2 a, 2 b) are fed to the spinning device (6) via at least two separate, in particular cylinder-like or cylindrical, guide elements (5 d, 5 e) that are arranged such that they are spatially separated from each other in at least one spatial direction.
 2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that a spinning device (6) is used, of which the spindle element or bobbin element (10) is arranged in alignment with a space (13) formed between the guide elements (5 d, 5 e) by the spatially separated arrangement of the guide elements (5 d, 5 e) assigned thereto in the fiber guiding direction.
 3. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that at least two guide elements (5 d, 5 e) arranged such that they are spatially separated from each other in a spatial direction running transverse to the fiber guiding direction are used.
 4. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that coaxially arranged guide elements (5 a-5 e) each having a cylinder-like or cylindrical basic shape are used, which are arranged such that they are spatially separated from each other in the direction of their respective central axes.
 5. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that at least two guide elements (5 d, 5 e) arranged such that they are spatially separated from each other in a spatial direction running parallel to the fiber guiding direction are used.
 6. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the fibers (2 a, 2 b) are brought together at a fiber merging point (12), wherein the fiber merging point (12) forms an apex of a spinning triangle facing the spinning device (6), wherein the angle (α) of the spinning triangle in the region of the apex facing the spinning device (6) is less than or equal to 90°, in particular less than 45° and in particular less than 30°.
 7. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the free length (L) of a respective fiber (2 a, 2 b) between the guide device (5) and the or a merging point (12) is in a range of between 4 and 20 cm, in particular in a range of between 7.5 and 15 cm and preferably 10 cm.
 8. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the free length (L′) between respective points (14, 15) at which the respective fibers (2 a, 2 b) leave the respective guide element (5 d, 5 e) in the direction of the or a merging point (12) is in a range of between 4 and 10 cm, in particular between 5 and 9 cm and preferably approx. 6 cm.
 9. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that at least three fibers (2 a-2 c) are spun together to form the at least one yarn (3).
 10. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that at least two fibers (2 a, 2 c) are fed to the spinning device (6) jointly via a first guide element (5 d) and at least one further fiber (2 b) is fed via a further guide element (5 e) arranged such that it is spatially separated from the first guide element (5 d) in at least one spatial direction.
 11. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that the at least three fibers (2 a-2 c) are fed to the spinning device (6) via three separate, in particular cylinder-like or cylindrical, guide elements that are arranged such that they are separated from each other in at least one spatial direction, wherein at least one first fiber (2 a) is fed via a first guide element, at least one second fiber (2 b) is fed via a second guide element which is arranged such that it is spatially separated from the first guide element in at least one spatial direction and at least one third fiber (2 c) is fed via a third guide element which is arranged such that it is spatially separated from the second guide element in at least one spatial direction.
 12. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that at least two fibers (2 a, 2 b) and at least one filament (17) are spun together to form the at least one yarn (3).
 13. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that the at least two fibers (2 a, 2 b) are fed to the spinning device (6) via two separate, in particular cylinder-like or cylindrical, guide elements (5 d, 5 e) which are arranged such that they are separated from each other in at least one spatial direction and the at least one filament (17) is fed from a filament storage unit (18), in particular a spool-like or spool-shaped filament storage unit (18), or via a third guide element which is separate from the two separate guide elements (5 d, 5 e).
 14. A yarn (3), produced by a method according to claim
 3. 15. A textile product, which is formed from at least one yarn (3) according to claim 14 or comprises at least one such yarn (3).
 16. An apparatus (1) for producing at least one yarn (3) formed by spinning at least two individual fibers (2 a, 2 b), in particular by a method according to claim 1, comprising: a guide device (5) comprising a plurality of, in particular cylinder-like or cylindrical, guide elements (5 a-5 e), which is configured to guide a number of fibers (2 a-2 c) in a guide device (5) to a spinning device (6) arranged downstream thereof, a spinning device (6) arranged downstream of the guide device (5) comprising at least one spindle element or bobbin element (10), which is configured to spin together at least two of these fibers (2 a, 2 b) fed via the guide device, forming at least one yarn (3), characterized in that the guide device (5) comprises at least two separate, in particular cylinder-like or cylindrical, guide elements (5 d, 5 e) that are arranged such that they are spatially separated from each other in at least one spatial direction, via which the at least two fibers (2 a, 2 b) can be fed or are fed to the spinning device (6).
 17. The apparatus according to claim 16, characterized in that the spindle element or bobbin element (10) of the spinning device (6) is arranged in alignment with a space (13) formed between the guide elements (5 d, 5 e) by the spatially separated arrangement of the guide elements (5 d, 5 e) assigned thereto in the fiber guiding direction.
 18. The apparatus according to claim 16, characterized in that at least two guide elements (5 d, 5 e) are arranged such that they are spatially separated from each other in a spatial direction or plane running transverse to the fiber guiding direction.
 19. The apparatus according to claim 18, characterized in that the guide elements (5 d, 5 e) each have a cylinder-like or cylindrical basic shape and are arranged coaxially, wherein the guide elements (5 d, 5 e) are arranged such that they are spatially separated from each other in the direction of their respective central axes.
 20. The apparatus according to claim 16, characterized in that two guide elements (5 d, 5 e) are arranged such that they are spatially separated from each other in a spatial direction running parallel to the fiber guiding direction.
 21. The apparatus according to claim 16, characterized by a drafting device, which is configured for the drafting, in particular the longitudinal drafting, of the fibers (2 a, 2 c) that are fed to the spinning device (6). 